President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has thrown his weight behind Tooro Kingdom’s new agricultural and youth empowerment programmes, praising them as practical solutions to improve rural livelihoods.
The Head of State hosted His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and his delegation at State House, Entebbe, on Monday, September 15, 2025.
The royal entourage included Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, Princess Ruth Komuntale Akiiki, and Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire, together with senior government leaders such as Minister of State for Youth and Children, Hon. Balaam Barugahara.
Prime Minister Rwomiire presented the Kingdom’s vision, which focuses on agriculture and youth projects across Tooro’s nine counties.
He explained that the plan involves coffee and cocoa nursery beds, demonstration gardens, and poultry hatcheries.
“What this does is it brings services close to the people, gives them income, and generates economic activities and employment,” Mr. Rwomiire said.
He added that the Kingdom requires 4.6 billion shillings to launch the programmes.
He also announced that Queen Mother Best Kemigisa would act as brand ambassador to raise visibility and mobilize support.
“The Kingdom has been there with you since, and we know the struggles we have gone through together. His Majesty the King has always acknowledged the support you have given him, including during his coronation. We know the problems, and we believe we also know the solutions,” Mr. Rwomiire noted.
President Museveni welcomed the proposals, especially the coffee project, calling it a “good intervention” that fits into government’s Parish Development Model (PDM).
He pointed out that private suppliers currently charge 3,000 shillings per seedling, which most farmers cannot afford.
“There’s no reason why the Kingdom can’t also do it. Government institutions have the seeds. The Kingdom can get them, multiply them, and distribute them for free to farmers,” H.E. Museveni said.
The President stressed that the Parish Development Model remains the foundation for wealth creation, adding that farmers organized under Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) would benefit directly from the seedlings distributed through the Kingdom.
“This is a good intervention, provided you concentrate on the parish,” he emphasized.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to provide 100 million shillings per parish under the PDM, while also offering an additional 15 million shillings for local leaders excluded from group benefits.
“The Shs100 million is for the poor people. But leaders who are not part of the groups also need support. So, we are adding Shs15 million for them,” President Museveni explained.
Turning to accountability, the President sounded a firm warning against misuse of PDM funds.
“Those stealing PDM money will vomit it. That’s not a problem. We shall lock them up until they return it. If there is monitoring and facts are established, we shall arrest them, and they will vomit the money,” he declared.
He insisted that despite corruption risks, the PDM would not be abandoned because of its importance in eliminating poverty.
Minister Balaam Barugahara briefed the President on gaps observed during a Baraza in Fort Portal.
He cited irregularities such as non-residents benefiting from parish allocations.
“In one parish, money was given to 50 people who didn’t belong there. This has been a very big problem. We need to fix these gaps and ensure transparency,” Hon. Barugahara said.
He pledged that his ministry would tighten supervision, improve accountability, and resolve disputes openly.
Rwomiire also introduced a Youth Economic Empowerment Programme aimed at restoring the Kingdom’s relevance by collaborating with government structures.
“It is not just about the Kingdom but also about government delivery. We shall sensitize communities through radio, field visits, and kingdom structures. This is our mobilization strategy to ensure high impact and visibility,” he said.
International partners also presented their plans.
Nicolas Geoffrey, a Ugandan-born UK resident and envoy of the Tooro Royal Family, revealed plans for a university campus in Tooro specializing in agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and tourism.
“We have identified land in the Kingdom and secured interest from investors. We have even engaged Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, through his envoy Claudia Pinto. However, our partners want a letter of support or directive from you to guarantee Uganda’s commitment,” Geoffrey told the President.
Dr. Niel Holder, Tooro’s envoy from Barbados and a UN Global Peace Ambassador, highlighted prospects for trade and cultural exchange between Uganda and the Caribbean.
“The Caribbean has many people who have never visited Africa. They go to Europe and the USA, spending lots of money in countries that don’t value them. With Uganda Airlines now operating flights to Britain, we can connect Britain to Barbados and open up new avenues for tourism, food trade, and cultural diplomacy,” Dr. Holder said.
He pledged to work with King Oyo and President Museveni to strengthen bilateral ties and open international opportunities for Ugandan farmers, while positioning Tooro as a regional hub of global partnerships.
Prime Minister Rwomiire reassured the President of the Kingdom’s commitment to align its priorities with government programmes.
“The Kingdom has been consistent in supporting your leadership and programs. With this initiative, we want to demonstrate that we are partners in delivering transformation to our people,” he said.
Impressed with the ideas, President Museveni commended the Kingdom’s proactive approach.
He emphasized that anchoring development at the parish level would ensure inclusivity, sustainability, and lasting transformation.
